Adapting

One of the reasons we homeschool is the flexibility of schedule it allows us. There are times when we travel, either because of work or due to the time we can carve out for family. And there are times where work causes us to be crazy busy, and homeschooling gives us the flexibility to ease back on school work for that period of time, then amp it back up when the busy time is over.

This is one of those busy times. The Christian Workers Conference is two weeks from yesterday, and things are getting a little crazy around here. Honestly, I feel pretty good about the schooling that is getting done. I'm so proud of how much more independent work the kids are doing on their own. Tyson is fourth grade this year, and Jesalynn is second grade. Tyson is able to do math and grammar and spelling entirely on his own, and Jesalynn recently asked to start working more independently on her grammar.

As thrilled as I am to see them growing and changing, I'm still eager to get through this time period and get my routine back! I think the kids handle the change in schedule better than I do.

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Also, don't forget to check out Shepherd's Staff's newly redesigned website: www.shepherdstaff.org. Dave Faltermier did a great job on this project, and we are so very thankful for his help.

Good morning, friends! It's Monday morning--time to start the week! Do you have a song in your heart? Are you sharing your thoughts with God?

We had a snowstorm over the weekend--not quite what was expected but enough that the Gideons cancelled their monthly meeting. They will be back on Saturday to hold their membership drive, so we're praying for good weekend weather.

Tim got to get his snowblower out and clear the streets in front of the Shepherd's Staff buildings and the Rexford Community Church. He enjoys serving the community in that way.

This weekend we'll be serving Teens for Christ (TFC). In previous years they met at Shepherd's Staff almost every month, but the effectiveness of that mode of operation had begun to wear off. This school year they tried something different, trying to reach more kids and find a way to compete with sports and activities schedule. In February, they've chosen to hold their meeting at Shepherd's Staff again, and we're excited to be serving them. We'll fry around 100 hamburgers, make a ton of homemade milkshakes, make a bunch of fries, and generally enjoy them.

Saturday will be a busy day, since before we start to prepare for TFC we have to head to Colby and make almost 1000 pizzas with our 4-H club. Tyson and Jesalynn each sold around 25 pizzas; we were pretty proud of them! This was a first selling experience for them, and they only had about a week to sell. They worked pretty hard at it!

Well, it's time to head out into the day. The song in my heart right now is "This Is the Day" and the thoughts I'm sharing with God have to do with the Christian Workers Conference (less than a month away!) and a prayer for good friends for my children.